Undercoat layer with low release force for aqueous printing transfix system

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are sacrificial coating compositions comprising at least one hydrophilic polymer; at least one hygroscopic agent; at least one surfactant; at least one non-reactive silicone release agent; and water. In certain embodiments, the at least one non-reactive silicone release agent is chosen from polyether modified polysiloxane and nonreactive silicone glycol copolymers. In certain embodiments, the at least one non-reactive silicone release agent may be present in an amount ranging from about 0.001% to about 2%, based on the total weight of the composition, such as from about 0.03% to about 0.06%. Also disclosed herein is a blanket material suitable for transfix printing comprising a sacrificial coating composition, as well as an indirect printing process comprising a step of applying a sacrificial coating composition to a blanket material.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a divisional application of and claims priority toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/504,707, which is entitled“Undercoat Layer with Low Release Force for Aqueous Printing TransfixSystem,” which was filed on Oct. 2, 2014, now allowed.

DESCRIPTION

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to sacrificial coating compositions foruse with indirect printing processes, such as inkjet printers, forexample sacrificial coating compositions for use on an intermediatetransfer member of an indirect inkjet printer.

2. Background

In aqueous ink indirect printing, an aqueous ink is jetted onto anintermediate imaging surface, which can be in the form of a blanket. Theink may be dried or partially dried on the blanket prior to transfixingthe image to a media substrate, such as a sheet of paper. To ensureexcellent print quality, it is desirable that the ink drops jetted ontothe blanket spread and become well-coalesced prior to drying. Otherwise,the ink images may appear grainy and/or have deletions. Lack ofspreading can also cause missing or failed inkjets in the printheads toproduce streaks in the ink image. Spreading of aqueous ink may befacilitated by materials having a high surface free energy, andtherefore it is desirable to use a blanket having a high surface freeenergy to enhance ink spreading.

However, in order to facilitate transfer of the ink image from theblanket to the media substrate after the ink is dried or partially driedon the intermediate imaging surface, a blanket having a surface with arelatively low surface free energy is preferred. Rather than providingthe desired spreading of ink, low surface energy materials tend topromote “beading” of individual ink drops on the image receivingsurface.

Thus, an optimum blanket for an indirect image transfer process shouldtackle all of the challenges of wet image quality, including desiredspreading and coalescing of the wet ink, and the image transfer of thedried or partially dried ink. The first challenge—wet imagequality—prefers a high surface energy blanket that causes the aqueousink to spread and wet the surface. The second challenge—imagetransfer—prefers a low surface energy blanket so that the ink, oncedried, has minimal attraction to the blanket surface and can betransferred to the media substrate. Those two conflicting requirementscan make the whole process of wetting, release, and transfer in indirectprinting processes very challenging.

In addition to indirect ink jet printing, offset lithography is a commonmethod of printing today and, having similar challenges, is contemplatedfor the processes and compositions disclosed herein. In a typicallithographic process, a printing plate, which may be a flat plate, thesurface of a cylinder, or belt, etc., is formed to have “image regions”formed of hydrophobic and oleophilic material, and “non-image regions”formed of a hydrophilic material. The image regions are regionscorresponding to the areas on the final print (i.e., the targetsubstrate) that are occupied by a printing or marking material such asink, whereas the non-image regions are the regions corresponding to theareas on the final print that are not occupied by said marking material.The hydrophilic regions accept and are readily wetted by a water-basedfluid, commonly referred to as a fountain solution (for examplecomprising water and a small amount of alcohol as well as otheradditives and/or surfactants to reduce surface tension). The hydrophobicregions repel fountain solution and accept ink, whereas the fountainsolution formed over the hydrophilic regions forms a fluid “releaselayer” for rejecting ink. Therefore the hydrophilic regions of theprinting plate correspond to unprinted areas, or “non-image areas”, ofthe final print.

The ink may be transferred directly to a substrate, such as paper, ormay be applied to an intermediate surface, such as an offset (orblanket) cylinder in an offset printing system. The offset cylinder maybe covered with a conformable coating or sleeve with a surface that canconform to the texture of the substrate, which may have surfacepeak-to-valley depth somewhat greater than the surface peak-to-valleydepth of the imaging plate. Also, the surface roughness of the offsetblanket cylinder helps to deliver a more uniform layer of printingmaterial to the substrate free of defects such as mottle. Sufficientpressure is used to transfer the image from the offset cylinder to thesubstrate. Pinching the substrate between the offset cylinder and animpression cylinder may provide this pressure.

In one variation, referred to as dry or waterless lithography ordriography, the plate cylinder is coated with a silicone rubber that ishydrophobic and physically patterned to form the negative of the printedimage. A printing material is applied directly to the plate cylinder,without first applying any fountain solution as in the case of theconventional or “wet” lithography process described earlier. Theprinting material includes ink that may or may not have some volatilesolvent additives. The ink is preferentially deposited on the imagingregions to form a latent image. If solvent additives are used in the inkformulation, they may preferentially diffuse towards the surface of thesilicone rubber, thus forming a release layer that may reject theprinting material. The low surface energy of the silicone rubber adds tothe rejection of the printing material. The latent image may again betransferred to a substrate, or to an offset cylinder and thereafter to asubstrate, as described above.

The above-described inkjet and lithographic printing techniques may havecertain disadvantages. For example, one disadvantage encountered inattempting to modify conventional lithographic systems for variableprinting is a relatively low transfer efficiency of the inks off of theimaging plate or belt. For example, in some instances, about half of theink that is applied to the “reimageable” surface actually transfers tothe image receiving media substrate requiring that the other half of theink be cleaned off the surface of the plate or belt and removed. Thisrelatively low efficiency compounds the cleaning problem in that asignificant amount of cleaning may be required to completely wipe thesurface of the plate or belt clean of ink so as to avoid ghosting of oneimage onto another in variable data printing using a modification ofconventional lithographic techniques.

Also, unless the ink can be recycled without contamination, theeffective cost of the ink is doubled. Traditionally, however, it is verydifficult to recycle the highly viscous ink, thereby increasing theeffective cost of printing and adding costs associated with inkdisposal. Proposed systems fall short in providing sufficiently hightransfer ratios to reduce ink waste and the associated costs. A balancemust therefore be struck in the composition of the ink to provideoptimum spreading on a plate or belt surface including adequateseparation between printing and non-printing areas and an increasedability to transfer to a substrate.

Various approaches have been investigated to provide potential solutionsto balance the above-mentioned challenges. Those approaches include, forexample, blanket material selection, ink design, and auxiliary fluidmethods. With respect to blanket material selection, materials that areknown to provide optimum release properties include the classes ofsilicone, fluorosilicone, a fluoropolymer, such as Teflon®, Viton®, andcertain hybrid materials. Those materials may have a relatively lowsurface energy, but may provide poor wetting. Alternatively,polyurethane and polyimide have been used to improve wetting, but at thecost of ink release properties. Tuning ink compositions to address thesechallenges has proven to be very difficult since the primary performanceattribute of the ink is the performance in the print head. For instance,if the ink surface tension is too high it may not jet properly. If,however, the ink surface tension is too low, it will drool out of theface plate of the print head.

One solution that has been proposed is applying a sacrificial wettingenhancement coating, such as a sacrificial coating compositioncomprising polyvinyl alcohol or starch, onto the blanket. Thesacrificial coating composition may be applied to the intermediatetransfer member (blanket), where it dries to form a solid film. Thecoating can have a higher surface energy and/or be more hydrophilic thanthe base intermediate transfer member. Droplets of ink may be ejected inan imagewise pattern onto the sacrificial coating composition, and thenthe ink may be at least partially dried to form an ink pattern on theblanket. Finally, the ink pattern and the sacrificial coatingcomposition may be transferred from the blanket to a substrate, such aspaper.

Both polyvinyl alcohol and starches, however, are known adhesives.Accordingly, sacrificial coating compositions comprising polyvinylalcohols and/or starches may have a high release force when coated ontoa blanket. This high release force may result in paper jams and/orstripping of the ink during the printing process, as the polyvinylalcohol or starch based sacrificial coating composition adheres to theblanket.

In order to implement a polyvinyl alcohol or starch based sacrificialcoating composition that does not undesirably adhere to the blanket, itis desirable to lower the high release force observed in suchsacrificial coating compositions while still maintaining theirbeneficial properties, such as good wet image quality, for use inindirect printing processes.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are sacrificial coating compositions comprising atleast one hydrophilic polymer; at least one surfactant; at least onehygroscopic agent; at least one non-reactive silicone release agent; andwater.

In certain embodiments, the at least one non-reactive silicone releaseagent may be present in an amount ranging from about 0.001% to about 2%by weight, relative to the weight of the total composition, such asabout 0.01% to about 1%, about 0.05% to about 0.5%, or about 0.1 toabout 0.3%. In certain embodiments, the at least one non-reactivesilicone release agent may be chosen from polyether modifiedpolysiloxane and nonreactive silicone glycol copolymers. In certainexemplary embodiments, the at least one non-reactive silicone releaseagent may comprise at least about 80% dimethyl, methyl (polyethyleneoxide acetate-capped) siloxane, or, in certain embodiments, the at leastone non-reactive silicone release agent may comprise less than about 20%polyethylene glycol monoallyl ether acetate.

Also disclosed herein is a blanket material suitable for transfixprinting comprising (1) a first substrate comprising at least one ofpolysiloxane rubber and fluorinated polymers; and (2) a second substrateon top of the first substrate comprising a sacrificial coatingcomprising at least one hydrophilic polymer; at least one surfactant; atleast one hygroscopic agent; at least one non-reactive silicone releaseagent; and water.

Further disclosed herein is an indirect printing process comprising thesteps of (1) providing an ink composition to an inkjet printingapparatus comprising an intermediate transfer member; (2) applying asacrificial coating composition onto the intermediate transfer member,wherein the sacrificial coating composition comprises at least onehydrophilic polymer at least one surfactant; at least one hygroscopicagent; at least one non-reactive silicone release agent; and water; (3)ejecting droplets of ink in an imagewise pattern onto the sacrificialcoating composition; (4) at least partially drying the ink to form anink pattern on the intermediate transfer member and (5) transferring theink pattern and the sacrificial coating composition from theintermediate transfer member to a substrate. In certain embodiments thesubstrate is paper, and in certain embodiments the ink pattern comprisesless than about 5% water or solvent, based on the total weight of thedry ink.

Both the foregoing general summary and the following detaileddescription are exemplary only and are not restrictive of thedisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bar graph comparing the release force as measured on twoblankets coated with Sample A and two blankets coated with Sample B, asdescribed in Example 1 herein.

FIG. 2 is a bar graph comparing the release force as measured on ablanket coated with Sample C versus a blanket coated with Sample D, asdescribed in Example 1 herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are sacrificial coating compositions comprising atleast one binder selected from the group consisting of (i) hydrophilicpolymers, such as polyvinyl alcohol and copolymers of vinyl alcohol andalkene monomers, and (ii) starches; at least one surfactant; at leastone hygroscopic agent; at least one non-reactive silicone release agent;and water.

Also disclosed herein are sacrificial coating compositions comprising atleast one hydrophilic polymer; at least one surfactant; at least onehygroscopic agent; at least one non-reactive silicone release agent; andwater. In certain exemplary embodiments, the at least one hydrophilicpolymer may be chosen from polyvinyl alcohol having a degree ofhydrolysis of less than about 95%, or polyvinyl alcohol copolymers suchas, for example, poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene).

The sacrificial coating compositions disclosed herein may have muchlower release force than previously-disclosed sacrificial releasecompositions. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believedthat the at least one non-reactive silicone release agent aids inlowering the release force between the sacrificial coating compositionand the blanket upon which the sacrificial coating composition isdeposited. The sacrificial coating composition, once coated onto ablanket, may dry to form a film demonstrating good wettability on ablanket made from fluorinated polymer, as well as a much lower releaseforce. The release force, also referred to herein as peel force, of thesacrificial coating composition may be measured by any means known inthe art. For example, a sample substrate such as paper may be mounted ona Lab Master® Slip and Friction machine and the release force measuredat 180 degrees at room temperature.

As used herein, the release force may be defined as the force necessaryto separate the sacrificial coating composition, which may be dried orpartially dried, from an intermediate transfer member, such as ablanket. The release force may, for example, be measured in g/cm. Incertain embodiments, the sacrificial coating compositions disclosedherein may have a release force of less than about 20 g/cm, such asranging from about 10 g/cm to about 20 g/cm, about 15 g/cm to about 20g/cm, or about 15 g/cm to about 17 g/cm. In certain exemplaryembodiments, the sacrificial coating compositions disclosed herein mayhave a release force less than about 15 g/cm, such as less than about 12g/cm, less than about 10 g/cm, or about 10 g/cm. The addition of atleast one non-reactive silicone release agent may lower the releaseforce of a sacrificial coating composition as compared to a sacrificialcoating composition that does not contain at least one non-reactivesilicone release agent. For example, the presence of at least onenon-reactive silicone release agent may reduce the release force of thesacrificial coating composition by a factor of at least about 2, such asat least about 3.

As disclosed herein, the at least one non-reactive silicone releaseagent may be present in the sacrificial coating composition in an amountranging from about 0.001% to about 2% by weight, relative to the totalweight of the composition. For example, the at least one non-reactivesilicone release agent may be present in the sacrificial coatingcomposition in an amount ranging from about 0.01% to about 1% from about0.05% to about 0.5% or from about 0.1 to about 0.3 by weight relative tothe total weight of the composition. In one exemplary embodiment, the atleast one non-reactive silicone release agent may be present in thesacrificial coating composition in an amount of about 0.045% by weightrelative to the total weight of the composition.

As used herein, the term “non-reactive silicone release agent” refers toa silicone-based polymer that generally does not chemically participatein a polymerization reaction or otherwise chemically interact with otheringredients in the sacrificial coating compositions disclosed herein.The at least one non-reactive silicone release agent may comprisemultiple organosiloxane or polyorganosiloxane groups per molecule. Theterm may include, but is not limited to, polymers substantiallycontaining only organosiloxane or only polyorganosiloxane groups in thepolymer chain, and polymers where the backbone contains bothorganosiloxane and polyorganosiloxane groups in the polymeric chain. Theat least one non-reactive silicone release agent disclosed herein mayalso comprise at least one modified side chain and/or at least onemodified end group. In certain embodiments, the at least one side chainmay be chosen, for example, from polyether, aralkyl, fluoroalkyl,long-chain alkyl, long-chain aralkyl, higher fatty acid ester, higherfatty acid amide, and phenyl modified side chains. In certainembodiments, the non-reactive silicone release agent may have dualmodified end groups, for example dual modified end groups chosen frompolyether modified end groups and polyether-methoxy modified end groups.

As used herein, the term “non-reactive silicone release agent” maycomprise more than 70% polyether-modified polysiloxane or apolyether-modified organopolysiloxane compound such as polyethermodified methylalyl polysiloxane copolymer, polyether trisiloxane,polyether-polymethly siloxane copolymer, dimethyl, methyl (polyethyleneoxide acetate-capped) siloxane, heptamethyltrisiloxane, silicone glycolcopolymer etc.

In certain embodiments disclosed herein, the at least one non-reactivesilicone release agent is chosen from polyether modified polysiloxane.In certain embodiments, the at least one non-reactive silicone releaseagent is chosen from nonreactive silicone glycol copolymers. The atleast one non-reactive silicone release agent may comprise at leastabout 70% dimethyl, methyl (polyethylene oxide acetate-capped) siloxane(such as, for example, CAS number 70914-12-4). In certain exemplaryembodiments, the at least one non-reactive silicone release agentcomprises less than about 20% polyethylene glycol monoallyl etheracetate (such as, for example, CAS number 27252-87-5).

The at least one binder may be chosen from hydrophilic polymers, such aspolyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, and starches. Forexample, in certain embodiments, the at least one binder may be chosenfrom polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl alcohol copolymers having a degreeof hydrolysis of less than about 95% or may be chosen from poly(vinylalcohol-co-ethylene). A polyvinyl alcohol based sacrificial coatingcomposition may have a much better wettability on a blanket and moreeasily form a continuous uniform thin film when dried or partially driedas compared to starch based sacrificial coating compositions. Moreover,a polyvinyl alcohol based sacrificial coating compositions may haveimproved mechanical properties compared to starch based sacrificialcoating compositions. The polyvinyl alcohol based sacrificial coatingcompositions disclosed herein may control the ink spreading moreuniformly and thus result in improved image quality (such as, forexample, improved drop uniformity, line sharpness, etc.). Additionally,polyvinyl alcohol based sacrificial coating compositions may have alonger shelf life when compared to starch based sacrificial coatingcompositions. Both polyvinyl alcohol and starch, however, are consideredenvironmental friendly for use in sacrificial coating compositions.

The at least one hydrophilic polymer can act as a binder in thecompositions of the present disclosure. Examples of the at least onehydrophilic polymer include poly(vinylpyrrolidinone) (PVP), copolymersof PVP, poly(ethylene oxide), hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate,poly(ethylene glycol), copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol), diblockcopolymers of poly(ethylene glycol), triblock copolymers ofpoly(ethylene glycol), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), copolymers of PVOH,polyacrylamide (PAM), poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), poly(acrylicacid), polymethacrylate, acrylic polymers, maleic anhydride copolymers,sulfonated polyesters, and mixtures thereof.

The at least one hydrophilic polymer can have suitable weight averagemolecular weight from 3000 to 300,000. In an embodiment, the at leastone hydrophilic polymer can provide a suitable viscosity for forming asacrificial coating on an intermediate transfer member. For example, atabout 5% by weight of the at least one hydrophilic polymer in a solutionDI water, at 20° C. the viscosity can range from about 2 cps to about800 cps, such as about 3 cps to about 500 cps, or about cps to about 100cps, where the % by weight is relative to the total weight of the atleast one hydrophilic polymer and water.

The at least one hydrophilic polymer has excellent wet film-forming andgood water retention properties. The at least one hydrophilic polymercan have 100% solubility in water or hydrophilic media. As a hydrophilicpolymer, the coating film formed therefrom can exhibit good waterretention properties, which can assist the ink spreading on the blanket,and can have uniform film-forming properties, for example, after theliquid coating composition is semi-dried or dried on a substrate. Inaddition, the shelf life of the at least one hydrophilic polymer-basedformulations of embodiments can be relatively long compared to somepolymers, such as starches. The mechanical properties of hydrophilicpolymers can be significantly better when compared to starches.

Further examples of suitable hydrophilic polymers may include polyvinylalcohol copolymers, such as poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene). In anembodiment, the poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene) may have an ethylenecontent ranging from about 5 mol % to about 30 mol %. Other examples ofpolyvinyl copolymer include poly(acrylic acid)-poly(vinyl alcohol)copolymer, polyvinyl alcohol-acrylic acid-methyl methacrylate copolymer,poly(vinyl alcohol-co-aspartic acid) copolymer, etc.

In certain exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, the degree ofhydrolysis of the polyvinyl alcohol may range from about 75% to about95%. The nominal molecular weight of the polyvinyl alcohol may rangefrom about 8,000 to about 30,000. In certain embodiments, the viscosityof a 4% polyvinyl alcohol solution at about 20° C. ranges from about 3cps to about 30 cps. In certain exemplary embodiments, the at least onebinder may be chosen from polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, such aspoly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene) having an ethylene content ranging fromabout 5 to about 30 mole %.

According to certain embodiments, the degree of hydrolysis of the atleast one polyvinyl alcohol may range from about 75% to about 95%, suchas, for example about 80% to about 90%, or about 85% to about 88%. Thenominal molecular weight of the at least one polyvinyl alcohol may rangefrom about 8,000 to about 30,000. The polyvinyl copolymers may be, forexample, poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene) with an ethylene contentranging from about 5 to about 30 mole %. The viscosity of a 4% polyvinylalcohol solution at 20° C. may range from about 3 cps to about 30 cps.

Polyvinyl alcohol may be manufactured by hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetatefrom partially hydrolyzed (about 87% to about 89%), intermediatehydrolyzed (about 91% to about 95%), fully hydrolyzed (about 98% toabout 98.8%), or super hydrolyzed (more than about 99.3%). In certainexemplary embodiments, the polyvinyl alcohol employed in thecompositions of the present disclosure has a degree of hydrolysisranging from about 75% to about 95%, such as about 85% to about 90%, orabout 87% to about 89%.

The polyvinyl alcohol or copolymer thereof can have any suitablemolecular weight. In an embodiment, the weight average molecular weightranges from about 8.000 to about 50,000, such as from about 10,000 toabout 40,000, or from about 13,000 to about 23,000.

In an embodiment, the polyvinyl alcohol can provide a suitable viscosityfor forming a sacrificial coating on an intermediate transfer member.For example, at about 4% by weight polyvinyl alcohol in a solutiondeionized water, at 20° C. the viscosity can range from about 2 cps toabout 30 cps, such as about 3 cps to about 15 cps, or about 3 cps toabout 5 cps, where the % by weight is relative to the total weight ofpolyvinyl alcohol and water.

The mechanical properties of polyvinyl alcohol may, in certainembodiments, be improved when compared with starches. Moreover,polyvinyl alcohol is a hydrophilic polymer and has good water retentionproperties. As a hydrophilic polymer, the coating film formed frompolyvinyl alcohol exhibits excellent water retention properties, andthus assists the ink spreading on a blanket. Because of its superiorspreading, the coatings formulated with polyvinyl alcohol may achieve asignificant reduction in total solid loading level. This may providesubstantial cost savings while providing an improvement of the coatingfilm performance. In addition, the shelf life of polyvinyl alcohol basedformulations may be long enough to reach a customer's site, andpolyvinyl alcohol is also considered to be environmentally friendly.

As a hydrophilic polymer, polyvinyl alcohol exhibits excellent waterretention properties. In certain embodiments, it is envisioned that lowviscosity grades of polyvinyl alcohol, such as Sekisui® Celvol 103, 107,502, 203 and 205 polyvinyl alcohols, may be used, as they may provideoptimum coating rheology. Table 1 below lists certain exemplarypolyvinyl alcohols that may be used according to certain embodiments ofthe sacrificial coating compositions disclosed herein.

TABLE 1 Hydrolysis Viscosity (cps) pH (4% Grade (%) (4% solution @ 20°C.) solution @ 20° C.) Celvol 103   98-98.8 3.5-4.5 5.0-7.0 Celvol 107  98-98.8 5.5-6.6 5.0-7.0 Celvol 203 87-89 3.5-4.5 4.5-6.5 Celvol 20587-89 5.2-6.2 4.5-6.5 Celvol 310   98-98.8  9.0-11.0 5.0-7.0 Celvol 41891-93 14.5-19.5 4.5-7.0 Celvol 502 87-89 3.0-3.7 4.5-6.5 Celvol 51386-89 13-15 4.5-6.5 Celvol 523 87-89 23-27 4.5-6.5

Other polyvinyl copolymers that may be envisioned include poly(vinylalcohol-co-ethylene) with an ethylene content ranging from about 1 toabout 30 mole %.

The chemical structure of the polyvinyl alcohol containing coatingcomposition can be tailored to fine-tune the wettability and releasecharacteristics of the sacrificial coating from the underlyingintermediate transfer member surface. This may be accomplished, forexample, by employing one or more hygroscopic materials and/or one ormore surfactants in the coating composition.

In certain embodiments, the sacrificial coating compositions disclosedherein may comprise at least one binder chosen from starches; at leastone surfactant; at least one hygroscopic material; at least onenon-reactive silicone release agent; and water. In certain embodiments,the starch may be chosen from at least one of non-ionic waxy maize cornstarches and cationic waxy maize corn starches. The viscosity of thestarch at about 25° C. may be less than about 1000 cp at a starch solidconcentration of about 4%.

Any suitable hygroscopic agent can be employed. Hygroscopic agents caninclude substances capable of absorbing water from their surroundings,such as humectants. In an embodiment, the hygroscopic material can be acompound that is also functionalized as a plasticizer. Accordingly, asused herein, the term “hygroscopic plasticizer” refers to a hygroscopicmaterial that has been functionalized and can be characterized as aplasticizer. In certain embodiments, the at least one hygroscopicmaterial may be a hygroscopic plasticizer chosen from glycerol/glycerin,sorbitol, xylitol, maltito, polymeric polyols such as polydextrose,glyceryl triacetate, vinyl alcohol, glycols such as propylene glycol,hexylene glycol, butylene glycol, urea, and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs).In certain embodiments disclosed herein, the at least one hygroscopicmaterial may be selected from the group consisting of glycerol,glycerin, sorbitol, glycols such as polyethylene glycol, and mixturesthereof. A single hygroscopic material can be used. Alternatively,multiple hygroscopic materials, such as two, three or more hygroscopicmaterials, can be used.

Any suitable surfactants can be employed. Examples of suitablesurfactants include anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, non-ionicsurfactants and mixtures thereof. The non-ionic surfactants can have anHLB value ranging from about 4 to about 14. A single surfactant can beused. Alternatively, multiple surfactants, such as two, three or moresurfactants, can be used. For example, a mixture of a low HLB non-ionicsurfactant with a value from about 4 to about 8 and a high HLB non-ionicsurfactant with value from about 10 to about 14 demonstrates goodwetting performance may be used.

In certain embodiments, the at least one surfactant may be sodium laurylsulfate (SLS), also known as sodium dodecyl sulfate. As disclosedherein, the at least one surfactant may be chosen from secondary alcoholethoxylate and branched secondary alcohol ethoxylate. In certainexemplary embodiments, the at least one surfactant may be chosen fromTergitol® 15-s-7 having an HLB value of about 12 and Tergitol® TMN-6having an HLB value of about 13.

Suitable surfactants may include anionic, non-ionic, and cationicsurfactants. In certain embodiments, at least one anionic surfactant maybe used, such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), Dextrol OC-40, Strodextredox PK 90, ammonium lauryl sulfate, potassium lauryl sulfate, sodiummyreth sulfate and sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate. In certainembodiments, at least one non-ionic surfactant may be used, such asSurfynol 104 series, Surfynol 400 series, Dynol 604, Dynol 810,Envirogem® 360, secondaryl alcohol ethoxylate series such as Tergitol®15-s-7, Tergitol® 15-s-9, TMN-6, TMN-100x, and Tergitol® NP-9, andTriton X-100, etc. In certain embodiments, cationic surfactants may beused, such as Chemguard S-106A, Chemguard S-208M, and Chemguard S-216M.Fluorinated or silicone surfactants can be used in certain embodiments,such as, for example, PolyFox® TMPF-136A, 156A, and 151N, ChemguardS-761p and S-764p, Silsurf® A008, Siltec C-408, BYK 345, 346, 347, 348,and 349, and polyether siloxane copolymers, such as TEGO Wet-260, 270,and 500, etc. Some amphoteric fluorinated surfactants are alsoenvisioned for use in certain embodiments, such as, for example, alkylbetaine fluorosurfactants and alkyl amine oxide fluorosurfactants, suchas Chemguard S-500 and Chemguard S-111. Table 2 below lists exemplarysurfactants that may be considered for use in both the sacrificialcoating compositions disclosed herein that may be incorporated in thesacrificial coating compositions.

TABLE 2 Petroleum Ether Alcohol Free Active Soluble Insoluble WaterSulfonic Chemical Ingredient Matter Matter Content Acid Series GradeFunction Type Name (%) (%) (%) (%) pH (%) Taycalite M4133 FormingNatural Sodium 33.0 ± 1.0 1.0≧ 2.0≧ 68.0≧ 7.5-9.5 — cleansing alcoholhigher emulsification/ alcohol dispersion sulfate permeation/penetration Taycapol NE1230 Forming Natural Sodium 27.0 ± 1.0 1.0≧ 1.0≧74.0≧ 6.0-8.0 — NE1270 cleansing alcohol higher 70.0 ± 2.0 3.0≧ 3.0≧32.0≧ 6.0-8.0 — NE1325 emulsification/ alcohol 25.5 ± 1.5 1.0≧ 1.0≧76.0≧ 6.0-8.0 — NE1370 dispersion ethoxysulfate 70.0 ± 2.0 2.8≧ 3.0≧32.0≧ 6.5-8.8 — NE7030 permeation/ Synthetic 27.0 ± 1.0 1.0≧ 1.0≧ 74.0≧6.0-8.0 — penetration alcohol Tayca- B120 Forming Hard Do- 96.0≦ 3.0≧ —— — 0.8≧ power B121 cleansing (branched decyl- 96.0≦ 2.5≧ — 1.0≧ — 1.5≧emulsification/ alkyl) benzene dispersion sulfonic permeation/ acidBN2060 penetration Sodium 60.0 ± 2.0 2.0≧ 1.5≧ 40.50≧ 6.0-8.0 — BC2070MEmulsification/ do-decyl *70.0≦  — — 3.0≧ 6.0-8.0 — dispersion benzene*70.0≦  — — 3.0≧ 6.0-8.0 — permeation/ sulfonate penetration CalciumSolubilization dodecylbenzene sulfonate L120D Forming Soft Dodecyl 96.0≦2.5≧ — 1.0≧ — 1.5≧ L121 cleansing (linear benzene 96.0≦ 2.5>  — 1.0≧ —1.5≧ L124 emulsification/ alkyl) sulfonate 96.0≦ 2.5≧ — 1.0≧ — 1.5≧LN2050D dispersion Sodium 50.0 ± 2.0 1.5≧ 2.0≧ 50.0≧ 6.0-8.0 — LN2450permeation/ dodecyl 50.0 ± 2.0 1.5≧ 2.0≧ 50.0≧ 6.0-8.0 — LN2425penetration benzene 25.0 ± 1.0 0.8≧ 1.0≧ 75.0≧ 6.0-8.0 — sulfonate

The embodiments disclosed herein have good wettability on a fluorinatedpolymer substrate, good ink holding, wetting and spreading properties,as well as further improved transfer properties.

In certain embodiments disclosed herein, the sacrificial coatingcomposition may be made by mixing the ingredients comprising at leastone hydrophilic polymer; at least one hygroscopic agent; at least onesurfactant, at least one non-reactive silicone release agent; and water.

Also disclosed herein is a blanket material suitable for a transfixprinting process comprising a first substrate made of a polysiloxanerubber or fluorinated polymer and a sacrificial coating comprising acomposition comprising at least one hydrophilic polymer; at least onehygroscopic agent; at least one surfactant, and at least onenon-reactive silicone release agent.

Further disclosed herein are processes for coating a blanket with asacrificial coating composition comprising at least one hydrophilicpolymer; at least one hygroscopic agent; at least one surfactant; and atleast one non-reactive silicone release agent, such as, for example,transfix print processes using a blanket. In certain embodiments, thepreparation of sacrificial coating compositions as disclosed hereincomprising at least one non-reactive silicone release agent involves atleast two steps of preparing the sacrificial coating composition andcoating of the sacrificial coating composition on a blanket, such as afluorosilicone blanket.

As used herein, a reference to a dried layer or dried coating refers toan arrangement of a hydrophilic compound after all or a substantialportion of the liquid carrier has been removed from the compositionthrough a drying process. As described herein, an indirect inkjetprinter forms a layer of a hydrophilic composition on a surface of anintermediate transfer member using a liquid carrier, such as water, toapply a layer of the hydrophilic composition. The liquid carrier is usedas a mechanism to convey the hydrophilic composition to an imagereceiving surface to form a uniform layer of the hydrophilic compositionon the image receiving surface.

Initially, the sacrificial coating composition is applied to anintermediate transfer member, where it is dried or semi-dried to form afilm. The coating can have a higher surface energy and/or be morehydrophilic than the base intermediate transfer member, which is usuallya material with low surface energy, such as, for example, apolysiloxane, such as polydimethylsiloxane or other silicone rubbermaterial, fluorosilicone, Teflon®, polyimide or combinations thereof.

The drying process may increase the viscosity of the aqueous ink, whichchanges the consistency of the aqueous ink from a low-viscosity liquidto a higher viscosity tacky material. The drying process may also reducethe thickness of the ink. In certain embodiments, the drying process mayremove sufficient water so that the ink contains less than about 5%water or other solvent by weight, such as less than about 2% water, oreven less than about 1% water or other solvent, by weight of the ink.

In certain embodiments disclosed herein, the sacrificial coatingcomposition may be made by mixing the ingredients comprising at leastone hydrophilic polymer; at least one hygroscopic agent; at least onenon-reactive silicone release agent and at least one surfactant.

The ingredients of the sacrificial coating can be mixed in any suitablemanner to form a composition that can be coated onto the intermediatetransfer member. In addition to the ingredients discussed above, themixture can include other ingredients, such as solvents and biocides.Example biocides may include Acticides® CT, Acticides® LA 1209, andActicides® MBS in any suitable concentration, such as from about 0.1weight percent to about 2 weight percent. Examples of suitable solventsmay include water, isopropanol, MEK (methyl ethyl ketone), and mixturesthereof.

The ingredients can be mixed in any suitable amounts. For example, theat least one hydrophilic polymer can be added in an amount ranging fromabout 0.5% to about 30%, or from about 1% to about 10%, or from about1.5% to about 5%, by weight based upon the total weight of the coatingmixture. The at least one surfactant can be present in an amount rangingfrom about 0.1% to about 4%, or from about 0.3% to about 2%, or fromabout 0.2% to about 0.5%, by weight based upon the total weight of thecoating mixture. The at least one hygroscopic agent can be present in anamount ranging from about 0.5% to about 30%, or from about 5% to about20%, or from about 10% to about 15%, by weight based upon the totalweight of the coating mixture. The at least one non-reactive siliconerelease agent can be present in an amount ranging from about 0.01% toabout 1%, or from about 0.05% to about 0.5%, or from about 0.1% to 0.3%.

The compositions of the present disclosure can be used to form asacrificial coating over any suitable substrate. Any suitable coatingmethod can be employed, including, but not limited to, dip coating,spray coating, spin coating, flow coating, stamp printing, die extrusioncoatings, flexo and gravure coating, and/or blade techniques. Inexemplary embodiments, suitable methods can be employed to coat theliquid sacrificial coating composition on an intermediate transfermember, such as, for example, use of an anilox roller; or an airatomization device, such as an air brush or an automated air/liquidsprayer can be used for spray coating. In another example, aprogrammable dispenser can be used to apply the coating material toconduct a flow coating.

In certain embodiments disclosed herein, the sacrificial coatingcomposition can first be applied or disposed as a wet coating on theintermediate transfer member. In certain embodiments, the wet coatingcan be heated at an appropriate temperature for the drying and curing,depending on the material or process used. For example, the wet coatingcan be heated to a temperature ranging from about 30° C. to about 200°C. for about 0.01 seconds to about 100 seconds, such as from about 0.1second to about 60 seconds.

In certain exemplary embodiments, after the drying and curing process,the sacrificial coating can have a thickness ranging from about 0.01micrometer to about 10 micrometers, such as from about 0.02 micrometerto about 5 micrometers, or from about 0.05 micrometer to about 1micrometers.

In an embodiment, the sacrificial coating can cover a portion of a majorsurface of the intermediate transfer member. The major outer surface ofthe intermediate transfer member can comprise, for example,polysiloxanes, fluoro-silicones, fluoropolymers such as Viton®, Teflon®,and the like.

As disclosed herein, there are certain advantages that may be achievedby embodiments disclosed herein over processes known in the art. Forexample, sacrificial coating compositions comprising at least onenon-reactive silicone release agent as disclosed herein may improve theperformance of the sacrificial layer in transfuse printing processes by,for example, lowering the release force. Moreover, the ability toimprove performance may result in lowering process costs. According tocertain transfer processes disclosed herein, the sacrificial coatingcompositions may reduce the potential for paper jams during the printingprocess and may also allow for improved printing efficiencies, such asby reducing the necessity for cleaning the intermediate transfer member.The sacrificial coating compositions disclosed herein may also allow forindependent control of rheological properties at the transfertemperature, as well as a higher solid loading of the sacrificialcomposition layer with a minimum increase in the viscosity.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers used in the specification andclaims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by theterm “about,” whether or not so stated. It should also be understoodthat the precise numerical values used in the specification and claimsform additional embodiments of the disclosure, as do all ranges andsubranges within any specified endpoints. Efforts have been made toensure the accuracy of the numerical values disclosed in the Examples.Any measured numerical value, however, can inherently contain certainerrors resulting from the standard deviation found in its respectivemeasuring technique.

As used herein the use of “the,” “a,” or “an” means “at least one,” andshould not be limited to “only one” unless explicitly indicated to thecontrary.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing description and thefollowing example are exemplary and explanatory only and are notintended to be restrictive. In addition, it will be noted that wheresteps are disclosed, the steps need not be performed in that orderunless explicitly stated.

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, are not intended to be restrictive, butrather illustrate embodiments of the disclosure.

Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromconsideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure.

EXAMPLE

The following example is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.

Example 1 Example 1A Polyvinyl Alcohol Solution Preparation

Solutions of about 5% to about 30% solid content polyvinyl alcohol(PVOH) were prepared using deionized water. The PVOH powder was addedinto cold water while stirring to avoid the formation of lumps. Once thepowder was fully dispersed, the mixture was heated to the temperature atwhich the polymer became solubilized (ranging from about 85° C. to about98° C., depending on the grade of PVOH used). Mixing was continued atthis temperature until the PVOH was fully solubilized. Depending on thegrade of material and efficiency of the agitation system, fullsolubilization may take some time to achieve.

Example 18 Polyvinyl Alcohol Based Undercoat Composition

Two sacrificial coating compositions were prepared. Sample A was made asa control composition without any silicone release agents loaded in thecomposition, and Sample B contained about 0.045% Dow Corning® 57additive, a liquid silicone release agent comprising nonreactivesilicone glycol copolymer. The control Sample A sacrificial coating wasprepared by mixing a solution comprising 4.5% PVOH 203, 15% glycerol,0.3% SLS and 80.2% deionized water. The experimental Sample Bsacrificial coating was prepared by mixing a solution comprising 4.5%PVOH 203, 15% glycerol, 0.3% SLS, 0.045% Dow Corning® 57 additive, and80.155% deionized water.

Example 1C Starch-Based Sacrificial Coating Composition

Starch gelatinization is a process that breaks down the intermolecularbonds of starch molecules in the presence of water and heat, allowingthe hydrogen bonding sites (the hydroxyl hydrogen and oxygen) to engagemore water. This irreversibly dissolves the starch granule.

Solutions of about 5% to about 35% solid content starch were preparedwith deionized water. The solutions were then heated up to about 93° C.to about 98° C. and kept at this temperature for about 15 to about 20minutes.

Two starch-based sacrificial coating compositions were prepared. SampleC was made as a control composition without any silicone release agentsloaded in the composition, and Sample D contained about 0.045% DowCorning® 57 additive. The control Sample C sacrificial coating wasprepared by mixing a solution comprising 4.5% Cargill Caliber 180starch, 15% glycerol, 0.3% SLS, and 80.2% deionized water. Theexperimental Sample D sacrificial coating was prepared by mixing asolution comprising 4.5% Cargill Caliber 180 starch, 15% glycerol, 0.3%SLS, 0.045% Dow Corning 57 additive, and 80.155% deionized water.

Example 1D Coating Process

The substrate blanket was made from a fluorinated polymer FKM elastomerDaikin G621 with amino silane AO700 as a crosslinker. It was firstrinsed with running hot water and then wiped with IPA. The blanket wasthen put on the hotplate, which was set at 50° C. After the surfacetemperature of the blanket reached about 50° C., the sacrificial coatingcomposition solution was manually coated on this blanket using an aniloxroll (165Q13). The blanket was left on the hotplate for about one minuteto dry the coated skin film. The process was repeated for all of SampleA, Sample B, Sample C, and Sample D.

Example 1E Optical Microscope Images

In order to have good wetting and spreading of ink on the sacrificialcoating compositions, it may be desirable to make sure that the skinfilm is continuous and uniform, which can be observed from the rainboweffect. Optical microscope (OM) images were taken on the film, which wascoated on G621 blanket substrates. The OM images for the controls(Samples A and C) and the formulations with the Dow Corning® 57 additiverelease agent (Samples B and D) all showed excellent film uniformity.

Example 1F Release Force Measurement

To measure the release force of the formulations, a 1.5″ wide strip ofXerox® Digital Color Elite Gloss (DCEG) paper was pressed on top of thedried film as described above in the coating process. Another aniloxroll was used and gently pressed on the paper five times back and forth.Then the sample paper was mounted on a Lab Master® Slip and Frictionmachine. The release force was measured at 180 degrees using the “Demo”mode at room temperature. Three replicates were run on each sample.

Example 1G Results of Release Force Measurement

By adding release agents such as Dow Corning® 57 additive, the releaseforce showed about a 3 times reduction compared to the control that hadno lubricant, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

FIG. 1 is a bar graph showing release forces measured on two G621blankets (Repeat1 and Repeat2) for PVOH based sacrificial coatingcompositions (control Sample A vs. experimental Sample B).

FIG. 2 is a bar graph showing release forces measured on a G621 blanketfor a Cargill Caliber 180 starch based formulation (control Sample C andexperimental Sample D).

Sample C with Cargill Caliber 180 starch as binder and with no addedsilicone release agent had a peel force ranging from about 15 g/cm toabout 17 g/cm. Sample A, the PVOH based formulation with no addedsilicone release agent, had a peel force ranging from about 28 g/cm toabout 30 g/cm. The high peel force of Sample A results in a compositionthat may not properly release from the blanket and may cause paper jamsduring printing processes. As shown in Sample B, the Dow Corning® 57additive lowered the peel force of a PVOH based formulation from about28 g/cm to about 30 g/cm to a peel force of about 10 g/cm, which is muchlower than the starch-based composition prepared as Sample C, having apeel force ranging from about 15 to about 17 g/cm. Moreover, as shown inSample D, the Dow Corning® 57 additive lowered the peel force of astarch based formulation from about 15 g/cm to about 17 g/cm to a peelforce of less than about 7 g/cm.

What is claimed is:
 1. A blanket material suitable for transfix printingcomprising: a first substrate comprising at least one of polysiloxanerubber and fluorinated polymers; a second substrate on top of the firstsubstrate comprising a sacrificial coating comprising at least onehydrophilic polymer; at least one surfactant; at least one hygroscopicagent; at least one non-reactive silicone release agent; and water. 2.The blanket material according to claim 1, wherein the at least onenon-reactive silicone release agent is chosen from polyether modifiedpolysiloxane and nonreactive silicone glycol copolymers.
 3. The blanketmaterial according to claim 1, wherein the at least one hydrophilicpolymer is selected from the group consisting of waxy maize starch,polyvinyl alcohol, poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene), poly(acrylicacid)-poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymer, polyvinyl alcohol-acrylicacid-methyl methacrylate copolymer, poly(vinylpyrrolidinone) (PVP),poly(ethylene oxide), hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate,poly(ethylene glycol), copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol),polyacrylamide (PAM), poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), poly(acrylicacid), polymethacrylate, acrylic polymers, maleic anhydride copolymers,sulfonated polyesters, and the mixtures thereof.
 4. An indirect printingprocess comprising: providing an ink composition to an inkjet printingapparatus comprising an intermediate transfer member; applying asacrificial coating composition onto the intermediate transfer member,wherein the sacrificial coating composition comprises at least onehydrophilic polymer; at least one surfactant; at least one hygroscopicagent; at least one non-reactive silicone release agent; and water;ejecting droplets of ink in an imagewise pattern onto the sacrificialcoating composition; at least partially drying the ink to form an inkpattern on the intermediate transfer member; and transferring the inkpattern and the sacrificial coating composition from the intermediatetransfer member to a substrate.
 5. The indirect printing processaccording to claim 4, wherein the at least one hydrophilic polymer isselected from the group consisting of waxy maize starch, polyvinylalcohol, poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene), poly(acrylic acid)-poly(vinylalcohol) copolymer, polyvinyl alcohol-acrylic acid-methyl methacrylatecopolymer, poly(vinylpyrrolidinone) (PVP), poly(ethylene oxide),hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, poly(ethylene glycol),copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol), polyacrylamide (PAM),poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), poly(acrylic acid),polymethacrylate, acrylic polymers, maleic anhydride copolymers,sulfonated polyesters, and the mixtures thereof.
 6. The indirectprinting process according to claim 4, wherein the at least onenon-reactive silicone release agent is chosen from polyether modifiedpolysiloxane and nonreactive silicone glycol copolymers.
 7. The indirectprinting process according to claim 4, wherein the at least onenon-reactive silicone release agent comprises at least about 70%dimethyl, methyl (polyethylene oxide acetate-capped) siloxane.